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Teacher Education Programs

"As a piece of global feedback – I want you to know that all of the recent Marist graduates we interviewed were very well prepared in terms of both content knowledge and in their own capacity to reflect and think “on their toes” about scenarios provided during the process. As a teacher, I know that these abilities are the direct function of the experiences you and your faculty provide."

(Note: Those pursuing a certificate to become a teacher are called candidates.)

The teacher education programs are designed to develop candidates who are reflective professionals. The programs of study integrate a strong liberal arts foundation with research-validated pedagogical knowledge. As members of a community of learners, candidates are expected to master the personal and professional knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to teach and assess K -12 students within the full range of individual abilities, to evaluate and improve teaching, to develop creative standards-based curricula, and to contribute as effective teachers and leaders in their schools and communities. The role of research and technology and the importance of critical thinking, creative problem solving, and multicultural and global perspectives are emphasized.

General Description and Requirements

Marist College offers New York State approved and registered undergraduate programs leading to initial certification in the following fields and continues to update programs to maintain compliance with New York State teacher education requirements:

Childhood Education 1-6 and Childhood Education/Special Education 1-6 (dual certification only). The program of study leading to dual certification, Childhood Education (1-6) and Childhood Education/Special Education (1-6), prepares graduates to teach in the general childhood education classrooms and in a variety of settings serving K-12 students with special educational needs. All dual certification candidates are psychology majors. The psychology major provides a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and specifically emphasizes the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children for successful learning in grades 1 through 6.

Certain candidates who fulfill the requirements may also choose to seek acceptance into the 5-year BA/MA in Educational Psychology Program, resulting in dual certification at the BA level and the Master of Arts in Educational Psychology. Contact the Program Director for Graduate Studies, Dr. Zsuzsanna Szabo (Zsuzsanna.Szabo@marist.edu).

The programs of study in Adolescence Education (7-12) integrate teacher preparation with an academic major in the secondary-school subject area. Contact the Associate Dean of Teacher Education or the Coordinator of Adolescence Education for information.

To meet the remaining requirements for initial certification in New York State, all teaching candidates must pass qualifying New York State examinations and also meet a foreign-language requirement.

Marist College is accredited under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards through the CAEP Accreditation System. Marist College will seek accreditation under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards in spring 2020. Formed in 2013, CAEP is the single specialized accreditor for educator preparation, and administers NCATE accreditation.